Before the rays of early summer sun could brush the New York skyscape that morning, Fe Peridas-Rosales (class 79), a Senior Auditor for the State of New York, here hubby June, and daughters Jane and Kathleen were already driving to La Guardia Airport to fetch batchmate Isidoro Sid Serrano who flew all the way from Chicago, bringing with him the reunions souvenir shirts.

Class 55 Valedictorian Silvestre Bitic Andia and wife Aurelia Tabago came all the way from Flicker Drive, Orange Park, Florida with son-in-law Jose Joey Alas (class 81), daughter Ma. Celina Andia-Alas (class 84), and their two grandsons, all of whom had to endure 18 long hours of drive from Florida.  They brought with them pasalubong of kalamansi, talong and upo.

Arriving almost simultaneously with the Andia and Alas families was Marivic Tabago-Josafat (class 77), a successful Manhattan-based nurse who came with daughter Janna, and parents Osiais and Lydia Tabago of Consuelo, Guimba, Nueva Ecija.  Marivic eagerly asked about a batchmate, Angeline Gabriel, who she heard was also in New York.

Tito Bitic never imagined that he would be able to see his old-time classmate Jesusa Fernando-Alejandro (class 55) in New York.  In his speech, Mr. Andia recounted the story of the alumni organization and appealed for support to the alumni scholarship program which he has steered as chair of the Scholarship Screening Committee since its inception until he moved to Florida, USA in August 2000.

Jesusas daughter, Maria Lulu Constancia Alejandro (class 78), more commonly known as Peewee to Guimbanians but who would now like to be known simply as Lou, together with husband Alberto Quimabao who like her was a successful nurse in New Jersey, their son and daughter, and two nephews the sons of sister Valerie Anne-Alejandro (class 82) were the early birds, arriving second to none at the Blessed Sacrament Parish Church in Staten Island where Father Mike Paradela, MSC, was currently assigned as one the parish priests.

Caught in the long July the 4^th holiday weekend traffic were sibling Maria Soccoro Soki Paulin-Alas (class 78), Maria Josefina Joy Paulin (class 85), and Ramonchito Monching Paulin (class 84).  Joy and Soki had not slept the night before, having had to cook palabok and menudo to be served in the reunion.  Monching arrived armed with his guitar and a repertory of nostalgic Filipino liturgical songs.  Both he and Joy busied themselves in the medical filed as physical therapists and nurse, respectively.

Fr. Mike Paradela, MSC, officiated the Thanksgiving Mass which highlighted the days activity.  During the homily, the message of Nelson F. Rendon (class 79), president of the (Cor Unum) Alumni Organization of OLSHA was read.  In his message, Nelson underscored the big difference the OLSHAns in the US can make in the life of the alumni organization which cold only be possible if they were more organized.  Hence, he called upon OLSHAns living in the US to organize themselves and, if possible, for a chapter there.  He said:

I am confident that this occasion can spur the formation of an organization of OLSHAns in the USA.

I must say that OLSHAns in the USA, notwithstanding the economic slowdown in the part of the world, are in the best if not enviable position to help financially promote and advance the projects of the alumni organization for the welfare of the majority of its members, and; for the benefit of OLSHA, in particular, and Guimba, in general.  It is no secret that when the American economy slows down, economic activities in the rest of the world stop.  Unfortunately for us here in the Philippines, the natural and man-made disaster that began with the Asian currency flu of 1997 continue to batter our already crunching economy.  The political instability brought about by the threats to the incumbent administration due to the ongoing trial of Erap for plunder and the kidnapping activities of the Abu Sayyaf has pushed us even deeper into the pit of poverty.

There is no doubt that there is much you can do the help!  I also have no doubt that you have the kind heart in the tradition of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart to look after a brother or sister in need.  Likewise, I have no doubt that you can live up to the challenge of forming an organization of OLSHAns in the USA, if not in all of North America, not only through which assistance to the projects of the alumni organization can be channeled but more so through which unity among OLSHAns in North America can be fostered.     [full text]

The reunion was held at the residence of Fes sister-in-law, Dr. Precy Rosales, at 55 Titus Ave., Staten Island, New York.  There, Engineer Arnold Romano (class 87), his wife Anne and their 18-month old son Andre were already waiting for other OLSHAns to arrive.  Bringing with them a cake, they proceeded to the reunion all the way from Long Island following the monthly medical check-up of their baby.

Arnold apologized for the non-appearance of his Ate Emy Romano Abuyuan (class 86) and Libot Talens (OLSHA elementary graduate) who promised to come but could not.

Other OLSHAns informed of the reunion and who could not come but who were nonetheless present in spirit were: Dr. Belinda Lynette Santos-Senar (class 82).  One of the preparatory meetings was hosted by Lynette in their plush Manhattan apartment a few weeks before she and her three kids moved to Bakersfield, California in May this year.  Dr. Lyndon Senar had wished to represent his wife in the reunion but opted instead to see his family during the long weekend break of the July 4^th holiday.

Imelda Tabaquin-Fruto (class 82), kept in touch through email.  As far north as Canada, Perla Batangan (class 82) expressed through email her interest to buy a reunion souvenir t-shirt (which up to this writing could not be sent due to the September 11, 2001 New York and Washington DC terrorist attacks.  Cristina Rimocal Tamayo (class 80) likewise sent her email well-wishers for the success of the event.

Class 78 spouses Danny and Daisy Baldo-Borja (Toronto, Canada) and Lauro and Vida Palacio-Fernandez (Edmonton, Canada) also shared the spirit of bonding and togetherness by way of email messages.

Other OLSHAns informed but who did not make it to the reunion were San Diego-based Mercy Nicdao-Catabona (class 70), Jean Coking-Jenkins (class 78), Josie Odulio-Bautista (class 66), and Los Angeles-based Manuel Placido Alas (class 78), Cesar Dela Cruz Jr. (class 78), Regina Gatmaitan-Sonano (class 78), Pamela Balaba-Ferrer (class 78), Valentinita Baby Sarmenta-Talens (class 60), and spouses Albert (class 82) and Alma (class 81) Quizon-Talens.

New York/New Jersey-based Linda Dubal (class 60) and Benedicta Mudlong (Class 58), begged off as they had long planned to spend their holiday weekend in Houston, Texas.  Normina Ateng Obinario-Sta. Romana (class 84), Helen Gragasin (class 86) and Jane Coloma (class 86), all nurses, sent their regrets for not being able to attend due to duty schedules.

Lilian Tinio Gabat (class 72) a New Jersey nurse likewise promised to come but missed the event.

The celebration of the first-ever Reunion of OLSHAns in the USA, a simple pot-lunch reunion, was made all the more memorable by the delectable and mouth-watering pinakbet and guinatan by Fes mom, Mommy Choring, the fresh fruits harvested by Marivic Tabago-Josafat from a nearby upstate market, the freshly fried egg rolls of the mother-daughter tandem of Celina Andia-Alas (class 84) and Auntie Auring, the all-time favorite barbeque for Fes hubby, Jun Rosales, and all the other sumptuous dishes.

Immediately after lunch and after a couple of karaoke songs, Fr. Mike had to rush back to his parish for a religious service.  Sid Serrano, earlier nowhere to be found, showed up bathing in his own sweat considering the humid summer air in Staten Island.  Sid, a computer buff in the Federal Bank of Chicago, had just ironed the first 13 pieces of reunion souvenir t-shirts which were sold during the day as class 79s contribution to the Alumni Scholarship Fund.

The next batch of the souvenir t-shirts bearing the photo of the reunion participants was subsequently sent to each participant (for sale at $10.00 each, the proceeds of which was donated to the alumni organization) by Sid who was currently in Spain having been reactivated by the US navy form its reserve pool.

What was touching and heartwarming during the reunion was the singing of the OLSHA hymn.  Though there have been lapses in the lyrics (a sign of ageing according to Fr. Mike), the tune was not lost.  So nostalgic it was that some of us could not hold back their tears while singing.

Would there be a 2^nd Reunion of OLSHAns in the USA?  With God permitting, there would be one next year.  Joey Alas had volunteered to host it in Jacksonville, Florida.  Huwag na kayong magbabaon.  Alas family na ang bahala! he announced with a big grin.  With the presence of Joeys father-in-law, Bitic Andia, in Florida, including many other Alas family members who were all OLSHAns, such a prospect would not be a remote possibility.

Specially so, because linking OLSHAns wherever they may be I this world was now possible through the alumni organization e-groups setup by Atlanta-based Arielito Lopez (class 89).  Conceived with some Manila-based OLSHAns and begun a few years back, the alumni e-groups had for sometime now been serving the nexus between and among OLSHAns. Arielito had just volunteered to design the alumni website, thereby put the alumni organization in cyberspace, and maintain the same out of his own pocket.  We call on fellow OLSHAn internet addicts all over the world to contribute to the enrichment of the alumni website.  Todays state-of-the-art technological advancement would offer us OLSHAns an opportunity to better organize and consolidate ourselves into a stronger alumni organization across the globe with a singular purpose and cor unum one heart.

(Published in the Souvenir Program on the Occasion of the OLSHA Grand Alumni Homecoming, 29 December 2001)